8823738

Merging Electronic Diagrams

PublishedSeptember 2, 2014
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
20 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method comprising: identifying a first electronic diagram, the identifying the first electronic diagram being performed by an electronic device, the first electronic diagram including components, the components, included in the first electronic diagram, producing results when the components, included in the first electronic diagram, are executed; identifying a second electronic diagram, the identifying the second electronic diagram being performed by the electronic device, the second electronic diagram including components, the components, included in the second electronic diagram, producing results when the components, included in the second electronic diagram, are executed; matching a component of the components in the first electronic diagram with a component of the components in the second electronic diagram, the matching being performed by the electronic device; identifying one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences associated with the matched component, the identifying the one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences being performed by the electronic device; receiving a selection, the receiving the selection being performed by the electronic device, the selection identifying a section of the first electronic diagram, the selected section of the first electronic diagram identifying less than all of the first electronic diagram; determining whether the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged from the selected section of the first electronic diagram into a corresponding section of the second electronic diagram, the determining whether the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged being performed by the electronic device; merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences from the selected section of the first electronic diagram into the corresponding section of the second electronic diagram when the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged, the corresponding section of the second electronic diagram, after merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences, including the matched component, the matched component representing fewer than all of the components included in the first electronic diagram, and the matched component producing a result when the matched component is executed; and storing the second electronic diagram when the second electronic diagram includes the matched component and the merged identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences, the stored second electronic diagram being provided to a display device when the stored second electronic diagram is requested, the display device displaying the stored second electronic diagram when the stored second electronic diagram is requested.

Plain English Translation

The method merges differences between two electronic diagrams using a computer. The computer identifies two diagrams, each containing components that produce results when executed. It matches components between the diagrams and identifies graphical (e.g., color, size) or functional (e.g., formulas, connections) property differences in the matched components. A user selects a section of the first diagram, which is smaller than the whole diagram. The computer determines whether to merge the identified differences from the selected section into the corresponding section of the second diagram. If so, it merges the differences, updates the second diagram, and stores the updated second diagram. When requested, the stored diagram, including merged components, is displayed.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing, to the display device, the stored second electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

This method, building on the merging process, displays the updated second electronic diagram after merging, ensuring the user can see the result of the merge operation. The display device renders the stored second electronic diagram.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , where determining whether the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged include: determining whether the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged based on a user selection.

Plain English Translation

In the merging process, the decision of whether to merge graphical or functional property differences is based on user input. The system prompts the user to specify which differences to merge (e.g., graphical only, functional only, or both), providing control over the merging process.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , where the matched component is associated with a hierarchy.

Plain English Translation

In the merging process, the matched component between the electronic diagrams is part of a hierarchical structure. This means components can be nested within other components, reflecting a structured design.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 4 , where the hierarchy is preserved after merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences.

Plain English Translation

When merging differences, the hierarchical structure from the first diagram associated with the components is maintained in the second diagram. This ensures that the relationships between components are preserved during the merging process.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing, to the display device, the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences in a tree format, the display device displaying the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences in the tree format.

Plain English Translation

Before merging, the method presents the identified graphical and functional differences in a tree format on the display device. The tree view visually organizes the differences, allowing the user to easily navigate and understand the discrepancies between the diagrams.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: causing the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences to be highlighted on the display device.

Plain English Translation

To further aid the user, the identified graphical and functional differences are highlighted on the display device. This visual cue draws the user's attention to the specific areas where differences exist between the two electronic diagrams.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instruction comprising: a plurality of instructions that, when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to: identify a first electronic diagram, the first electronic diagram including components, the components producing results when the components are executed; identify a second electronic diagram, the second electronic diagram including components, the components producing results when the components are executed; match a component, of the components included in the first electronic diagram, with one of the components included in the second electronic diagram, the matched component representing a subset of the components in the first electronic diagram; identify graphical property differences or functional property differences associated with the matched component; receive a selection of a section of the first electronic diagram, the selected section of the first electronic diagram being less than all of the first electronic diagram; determine whether the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged from the first electronic diagram into a section of the second electronic diagram corresponding to the selected section of the first electronic diagram; merge the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences from the first electronic diagram into the second electronic diagram based on determining whether the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged, the second electronic diagram including, after merging the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences, the matched component, the matched component producing a result when the matched component is executed when the second electronic diagram includes the merged identified graphical property differences or functional property differences; and store the second electronic diagram when the second electronic diagram includes the merged identified graphical property differences or functional property differences, the stored second electronic diagram to be provided to a display device associated with the electronic device, the display device to display the stored second electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions to merge differences between two electronic diagrams. The instructions, when executed, cause the computer to identify two diagrams, each containing components that produce results. It matches components between the diagrams and identifies graphical or functional property differences. A user selects a section of the first diagram. The computer determines whether to merge the differences from the selected section into the corresponding section of the second diagram. If so, it merges the differences, updates the second diagram, and stores the updated second diagram for later display.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to provide, to the display device, the stored second electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

This computer-readable medium, building on the merging instructions, also includes instructions to display the updated second electronic diagram after merging, allowing the user to see the result.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The medium of claim 8 , where one or more instructions, of the plurality of instructions, to determine whether the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged include: one or more instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to determine whether the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences should be merged based on a user selection.

Plain English Translation

In this computer-readable medium, the instructions to determine whether to merge graphical or functional property differences are based on user input. The system prompts the user to specify which differences to merge, providing control over the merging process.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The medium of claim 8 , where the matched component is associated with a hierarchy.

Plain English Translation

In this computer-readable medium, the matched component between the electronic diagrams is part of a hierarchical structure, which means components can be nested within other components, reflecting a structured design.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The medium of claim 11 , where one or more instructions, of the plurality of instructions, to merge the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences include: one or more instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to preserve the hierarchy.

Plain English Translation

In this computer-readable medium, the instructions to merge graphical or functional property differences also ensure that the hierarchical structure associated with the components is preserved during the merging process.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The medium of claim 8 , where the first electronic diagram or the second electronic diagram comprises a block diagram, a state diagram, a signal diagram, a flow chart diagram, a sequence diagram, a unified modeling language (UML) diagram, a data flow diagram, a circuit diagram, a ladder logic diagram, or a kinematic element diagram.

Plain English Translation

In this computer-readable medium, the electronic diagrams can be block diagrams, state diagrams, signal diagrams, flow charts, sequence diagrams, UML diagrams, data flow diagrams, circuit diagrams, ladder logic diagrams, or kinematic element diagrams. This indicates the system supports a wide range of diagram types.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. The medium of claim 8 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to provide, to the display device, the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences in a tree view, the display device to display the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences in the tree view.

Plain English Translation

This computer-readable medium also includes instructions to present the identified graphical and functional differences in a tree view on the display device. The tree view visually organizes the differences, allowing the user to easily navigate and understand the discrepancies between the diagrams.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The medium of claim 14 , where the instructions further comprise: one or more instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to cause the identified graphical property differences or functional property differences, in the tree view, to be highlighted on the display device.

Plain English Translation

In this computer-readable medium, the instructions also include causing the identified graphical and functional differences in the tree view to be highlighted on the display device, drawing attention to the specific areas of difference.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. A method comprising: identifying a first electronic diagram, the identifying the first electronic diagram being performed by an electronic device, the first electronic diagram including components; identifying a second electronic diagram, the identifying the second electronic diagram being performed by the electronic device, the second electronic diagram including components; matching a component, of the components included in the first electronic diagram, with one or more of the components included in the second electronic diagram, the matching being performed by the electronic device; identifying one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences based on matching the component, of the components included in the first electronic diagram, with the one or more of the components included in the second electronic diagram, the identifying the one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences being performed by the electronic device; merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences from the first electronic diagram into the second electronic diagram, the merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences being performed by the electronic device, the second electronic diagram including the matched component after merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences, the matched component producing a result when the matched component is executed; and storing the second electronic diagram after merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences, the storing the second electronic diagram being performed by the electronic device, the stored second electronic diagram to be provided to a display device associated with the electronic device, the display device to display the stored second electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

The method merges differences between two electronic diagrams using a computer. The computer identifies two diagrams, each containing components. It matches components between the diagrams and identifies graphical or functional property differences in the matched components. It merges the identified differences from the first diagram into the second diagram, updates the second diagram, and stores the updated second diagram. The stored diagram, including merged components, is then displayed.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising: receiving a selection of a section of the first electronic diagram, where merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences includes: merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences from the first electronic diagram into a section of the second electronic diagram that corresponds to the section of the first electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

This merging method further includes receiving a user selection of a section of the first electronic diagram. The merging of identified differences is then limited to merging differences from the selected section of the first diagram into the corresponding section of the second diagram.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The method of claim 16 , where the matched component is associated with a hierarchy, and where the hierarchy is preserved after merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences.

Plain English Translation

In this merging method, the matched component between the electronic diagrams is part of a hierarchical structure, which is maintained in the second diagram after merging. This ensures the relationships between components are preserved.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising: providing the first electronic diagram and the second electronic diagram to the display device prior to merging the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences, the display device to display the first electronic diagram and the second electronic diagram.

Plain English Translation

Prior to merging the identified graphical or functional property differences, this method provides both the first and second electronic diagrams to the display device for viewing, allowing the user to visually compare the diagrams before merging.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising: causing the identified one or more graphical property differences or functional property differences to be highlighted on the display device.

Plain English Translation

In this method, building on the prior display of the two diagrams, the identified graphical or functional differences are highlighted on the display device, drawing attention to the specific discrepancies between the first and second diagrams.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

September 2, 2014

Inventors

Robert O. ABERG
Vaithilingham SENTHIL

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MERGING ELECTRONIC DIAGRAMS